Paul Hartley’s men paid the penalty for a poor first half as they lost 2-1 to fellow Part-timers Dumbarton at Recreation Park last weekend.

Alloa made only one change from the side that drew with Queen of the South as new signing Alex Salmon came in from the start in place of Declan McManus who dropped to the bench.

Dumbarton boasted a number of ex-Wasps in their ranks with former strikers Bryan Prunty and Mitch Megginson leading the attack for the visitors whilst former favourite, Colin Nish, was also on the bench.

Alloa were searching for their first win over their opponents at Recreation Park for the first time since April 2006 but it was the visitors who immediately took the initiative early on in this one.

Dumbarton enjoyed the lions share of possession in the early exchanges as the excellent Scott Agnew stamped his authority on the midfield.

Agnew created the first real opening of the match as well when he robbed Creaney on the right wing before putting in a brilliant cross but Megginson couldn’t direct his header goalward.

Alloa responded to the early pressure with a brilliant double chance just 20 minutes into the match.

Firstly, Ryan McCord robbed Megginson of possession and tried to ambitiously chip the keeper from range after spotting him off his line but his effort is just over the top.

Alloa then earned a free kick and that man McCord took a well rehearsed set piece to find Meggatt free round the back of the Sons’ defence.

Meggatt nodded the ball into the path of Simmons but his effort on the half volley flashed agonisingly wide.

Ian Murray’s men once again grabbed the initiative as they pushed back an out of sorts Alloa side with a dominant spell of possession that once again saw Agnew take control in the middle of the park.

Dumbarton fired a warning shot when full back Paul McGinn burst through with a penetrating run to the byline to whip in a dangerous cross and only an excellent interception from Daryll Meggatt prevented Prunty from putting the visitors ahead.

Alloa then forced a corner with a brilliant counter attack involving Simmons, McCord and Cawley.

From the set piece, McCord played it short to Cawley who put in a wicked cross that was met by Ben Gordon but his header was narrowly over the bar.

James Creaney then had to be carried off after landing awkwardly on his ankle from an aerial challenge.

Jason Marr came on to replace the full back and immediately renewed his partnership with Gordon in central defence as Meggatt switched to left back.

The upheaval clearly unsettled the home side and Dumbarton took advantage right on half time as they forged ahead with the opening goal.

Gilhaney’s corner found Agnew on the edge of the box but his effort was blocked. The rebound found its way to defender Andy Graham who slotted past the on rushing Scott Bain to put the visitors ahead at half time.

Alloa were a different side after the break with the manager’s message ringing clearly in the players ears and they almost restored parity straight from the restart.

Ben Gordon found Andy Kirk in the box with a terrific long range pass but the veteran striker tried to back heel the ball to setup his partner Salmon and the chance was snuffed out by Graham for the Sons.

The Wasps were now in complete control and you could sense the visitors wobbling as the manager sent on McManus to replace the quiet Salmon.

Kevin Cawley then got free inside the box to chest and volley a Simmons pass towards goal but the excellent Ewings tipped over the bar for a corner.

That save only delayed the breakthrough for the home side as from the corner Alloa were level.

McCord’s low corner was cleverly dummied by Cawley to tee up the onrushing Simmons who smashed the ball home from eight yards to level the match.

Alloa were unlucky not to immediately take the lead when yet another clever McCord set piece found Meggatt free at the back post and his bullet header was bound for the top corner when Ewings once again got across well to deny the Wasps.

Then came the turning point in the match when Jason Marr tripped Andy Graham in the box from behind to leave the referee no option but to point to the spot.

Man-of-the-match, Scott Agnew, stepped up to convert the spot kick despite the efforts of Scott Bain who almost got to the kick down to his left.

Simmons tried his luck from range as Paul Hartley urged his players forward in search of another equaliser but his effort was high and wide.

The Wasps boss sent Ben Gordon up front as they desperately tried to salvage something from the game but it was the visitors who almost added to their lead when the influential Agnew got free on the counter attack only for his shot to go over the top of the bar.

Alloa created one final chance when a brilliant move involving McCord and Holmes sent Doyle clear down the right.

The cutback found Kevin Cawley 10 yards out and he unleashed a brilliant half volley towards the top corner but Ewings once again made a stunning save from point blank range to break the hearts of the home crowd and seal a vital win for Dumbarton.

Alloa: Bain, Doyle, Creaney (Marr 38’), Gordon, Meggatt, Simmons, Cawley, McCord, Kirk, Holmes, Salmon (McManus 51).

Subs not used: Young, Tiffoney, Robertson, McDowall.

DUMBARTON: Ewings, McGinn, Linton, Graham, Barry, Turner (Flemming 62’), Murray, Agnew, Gilhaney, Megginson (Kirkpatrick 80’), Prunty (Nish 56’).

Subs not used: S.Smith, K.Smith, McKerracher, Grinlay.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Stephen Simmons